CLC Policy Issues: Medicare Payment


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		CLC Comments on Radiation Oncology Payment Changes in CY 2013 Physician Fee Schedule Proposal September 4, 2012 Marilyn Tavenner Acting Administrator Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Department of Health and Human Services Room 445-G, Hubert H. Humphrey Building 200 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20201 RE: CMS-1590-P, Revisions to Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule, DME Face-to-Face Encounters, Elimination of the Requirement for Termination of Non-Random Prepayment Complex Medical Review and Other Revisions to Part B for CY 2013 Dear Ms. Tavenner: The undersigned cancer patient, provider, and research organizations are writing to share their concerns about the changes in reimbursement for certain radiation oncology services proposed in the physician fee schedule update for calendar year 2013. We share the goal of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that physician fee schedule payments be based on the most accurate and up-to-date data available, and we support CMS efforts to evaluate and adjust payments to achieve that goal. Such an approach is necessary to ensure a high-quality Medicare program that provides beneficiaries access to appropriate care and also protects the long-term viability of Medicare. We understand that the proposed physician fee update for CY 2013 would significantly reduce payments for intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), services that are important care options for patients with certain cancers. The recommended levels of reimbursement are based on revised assumptions about the length of IMRT and SBRT sessions. CMS indicates that the agency relied on a patient fact sheet about radiation therapy for prostate cancer as well as a patient-directed website about radiation therapy for information about the length of IMRT and SBRT sessions and that it based reductions in reimbursement levels on that information. Many of the undersigned organizations provide educational materials that assist patients in making treatment decisions and also educate them about what to expect as part of their treatment experience. In some cases, partnerships of patient organizations, professional societies, and research groups convene to create patient education materials. The patient education materials that we and others create are intended to serve patients. These materials are not designed to reflect or describe the time necessary to deliver professional services, including the technical requirements of the services that may be undertaken before and after the patient experience. We urge that CMS reconsider its use of patient education materials to guide decisions about radiation oncology reimbursement decisions. This significant departure from the usual process for ascertaining the time required for a service and setting reimbursement rates is ill-advised. We are concerned that this reimbursement recommendation has the potential to adversely affect patient access to high-quality radiation oncology services. Moreover, the use of patient education materials as the basis for reimbursement decisions will have a negative impact on collaborative educational efforts that empower and equip patients to make decisions about and manage their cancer care. We appreciate your careful consideration of this recommendation. Sincerely, Cancer Leadership Council American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network American Society for Radiation Oncology American Society of Clinical Oncology Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network Cancer Support Community The Children's Cause for Cancer Advocacy Coalition of Cancer Cooperative Groups College of American Pathologists Kidney Cancer Association Lance Armstrong Foundation The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Lymphoma Research Foundation National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship National Lung Cancer Partnership Prevent Cancer Foundation Sarcoma Foundation of America Susan G. Komen for the Cure Advocacy Alliance Back to Medicare Payment Index About CLC \| What's New \| Policy Issues \| Participants' Login Home \| Sitemap \| Contact Info Copyright © 2001-2002 Cancer Leadership Council. All rights reserved. Please send comments and suggestions to webmaster@cancerleadership.org.